ENG2321 ¨C Colonial and Postcolonial Literature

Course content

This introductory course has a twofold aim.

1. It discusses literary texts written by British authors during the period of colonial and imperialist expansion.
2. The course focuses on texts written by authors who live in a country that was colonised, and who write in English.

The course is text-oriented, but matters of history and context are also considered as essential. The course includes a presentation and discussion of literary (postcolonial) theory. Overall, the literary texts under consideration are seen as a cultural meeting-point of male and female characters of different races and classes.

Learning outcome

After completing this course, you:

• can discuss, and analyse colonial and postcolonial texts,
• know how race, class, gender, history, and identity are presented and problematised in the literary texts,
• have an understanding of the relationship between Great Britain (and implicitly the West) and nations that were once colonised.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with ENG2321 ¨C Colonial and Postcolonial Literature.
• 10 credits overlap with ENG4361 ¨C Colonial and Postcolonial Literature.

Teaching

Seminars, 2?hours?weekly for 14?weeks.?28?hours in all.

Obligatory activities:

• An essay of 5 standard pages (a standard page consists of 2,300 characters)?turned in by a stated deadline.?Read more here about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements.?Information about?guidelines for obligatory activities.
• It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60% of the teaching. In this course you have to attend 8 of 14 seminars. The requirement is absolute.

The allowed absence limit will cover all absences, including illness. You will not be granted valid absences with documentation, even when the absence is due to something beyond your control.

If the course has in-person teaching, and you are signed up for an in-person seminar group, you are to attend the teaching in the location found in the schedule.

If the course has digital teaching, and you are signed up for a digital seminar group, you must attend via Zoom with your camera on.

In certain circumstances, i.e. serious or chronic illness, you could apply for?special needs accomodations.

Fulfilled course requirements are only valid the semester you attend the course.

Examination

The form of assessment is a 3-day home examination.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.